Dominique Strauss-Kahn attempted rape inquiry dropped

Paris prosecutors say Tristane Banon’s claims ‘lack sufficient evidence’ but that ex-IMF chief admitted sexual assault French prosecutors have dropped their investigation into claims by the French author Tristane Banon that she was subject to an attempted rape by Dominique Strauss-Kahn, citing lack of sufficient proof The former IMF chief admitted under questioning to a lesser charge of sexual assault. But a sexual assault case against Strauss-Kahn cannot be pursued because the alleged incident occurred outside the three-year statute of limitations for that charge – the statute for attempted rape is 10 years. Thursday’s announcement was a second legal victory in a stormy year for Strauss-Kahn, who quit his job as head of the IMF after a New York hotel maid accused him of attempted rape earlier this year. Prosecutors later dropped that case. Banon filed her complaint in France in July, after doubts about the maid’s credibility emerged. Strauss-Kahn, considered a top contender for France’s presidency before his New York arrest, called Banon’s attempted rape claim imaginary and slanderous. Banon said that Strauss-Kahn invited her to an empty apartment for a book interview, and they ended up tussling on the floor, with the politician trying to open her jeans and bra and putting his fingers in her mouth and underwear. “For lack of sufficient elements of evidence, prosecution cannot be undertaken on the charge of attempted rape,” the Paris prosecutor’s office said. However, “facts that could be qualified as sexual assault have been acknowledged”. Strauss-Kahn admitted during questioning that he tried to kiss Banon without her consent, a judicial official told the Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the questioning is private. Banon has defended her decision not to file charges against Strauss-Kahn at the time of the alleged incident. In 2003, she was 23 years old and Strauss-Kahn was an éminence grise of France’s Socialist party, and her own mother advised her against filing a complaint. The New York maid, Nafissatou Diallo, has filed a civil suit. Banon has said she would do the same if Paris prosecutors decided not to proceed with a criminal case. Dominique Strauss-Kahn France Europe guardian.co.uk

Posted by on October 13, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.